The wards flickered as they passed through the boundary, Callum pausing at the edge. The last time he crossed this threshold, it had been as an intruder.
Now?
Nova grabbed his finger and acted as if she was yanking him forward.
Inside, the Sanctum had changed. Melusine had redecorated—several walls now held glowing glyphs of protection, and a fountain in the center flowed with magic-laced water from her homeland. It hummed with life.
Melusine appeared from the archway with quiet grace, her translucent dress rippling like a river in moonlight. She looked at Callum without judgment, only curiosity.
"You chose," she said simply. "They must be worth more than memory."
Callum inclined his head. "They were… louder than memory."
She smiled faintly. "Good. You'll need that fire. The Council won't forgive this."
"I'm not asking them to."
Melusine nodded, then turned her attention to Nova, who was now glowing faintly in Samantha's arms.
